Unitary configured bird repellent apparatus

ABSTRACT

A bird repellent apparatus having an integral base member and a plurality of prongs. The base member, by means of a plurality of tabs having holes for receiving screws or other fasteners, can be affixed to virtually any desired surface. The plurality of prongs with sharp tips presents an impossible barrier to birds that would otherwise land or perch on the surface to which the present invention is affixed. The combined base member and prongs are formed from injection molded plastic structure that also provide the tabs having holes to secure the base member to the underlying surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/108,446filed May 16, 2011 which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.12/510,840 filed Jul. 28, 2009 now issued Pat. No. 7,941,977, which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/317303 filed May 24, 1999,now issued Pat. No. 7,596,910. This and all other extrinsic materialsdiscussed herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. Wherea definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference isinconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein,the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definitionof that term in the reference does not apply.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to devices for preventing birdsfrom landing or perching on selected surfaces, and more specifically toa bird repellent apparatus that comprises a base member and integralprongs preferably made out of injection molded plastic for simple andlow cost manufacture and easy installation on virtually any surface towhich access to birds is to be denied.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Prior Art

The presence of birds on window sills, roof tops, boat masts and coversand the like is often undesirable. Bird droppings attract insects andprovide a fertile bed for bacteria which can present a significanthealth hazard. Additionally, the unaesthetic appearance of birddroppings and the like often requires the task of unpleasant and timeconsuming clean up where access to the droppings is available. Oftentimes the repulsive appearance of bird droppings and other by-productsof birds is not even accessible for clean up.

The use of a plurality of pointed objects, such as spikes and the like,mounted on surfaces where it is desired to repel birds is not unknown.However, heretofore the typical bird repellent apparatus comprises ametal base having a plurality of angularly and upwardly projecting metalwires or spikes. Unfortunately, such metal contraptions, whileaccomplishing the desired result, tend to be costly to manufacturebecause they are not conductive to non-labor intensive manufacturingprocesses such as injection molding for example. Perhaps mostimportantly, they tend to be relatively expensive, which inherentlylimit their use.

There is a need therefore for a bird repellent apparatus which is easyand less costly to manufacture and which is relatively inexpensive tothe user, thereby facilitating its use in larger numbers for avoidingthe aforementioned problems of insect and bacteria infestation andunaesthetic appearance of the droppings and other waste products birdsleave in their wake.

Until the issuance of the applicant's prior patent, namely U.S. Pat. No.5,253,444, the typical bird repellent apparatus comprised a metal basehaving a plurality of angularly and upwardly projecting metal wires orspikes. Unfortunately, such metal contraptions, while accomplishing thedesired result, tend to be costly to manufacture because they are notconducive to non-labor intensive manufacturing processes such asinjection molding for example. Most importantly, they tend to berelatively expensive, which inherently limits their use. Thedisadvantages of such prior art was addressed in the applicant's priordisclosure in the aforementioned patent, relating to a bird repellentapparatus comprising a base member and a plurality of top members, eachof which holds a plurality of prongs. All of the components of theapplicant's prior invention can preferably be made of an injectionmolded plastic which can be cheaply manufactured in large numbers withvirtually no significant labor costs. The use of injection moldedplastics not only reduces the cost of manufacture and thus the cost tothe user, but also provides the opportunity to manufacture the productin a variety of different colors, some of which may be selected to blendin with the color of the underlying surface and some of which may bepurposely selected to provide an aesthetically pleasing and distinctiveappearance. In any case, the applicant's prior invention provides anefficient, effective apparatus for repelling birds from surfaces, suchas window sills, roof tops, boat masts, boat covers and the like, whileovercoming the disadvantages of the prior art devices. However, the needfor separate base members, top members and prongs, makes for a morecostly apparatus because of the need for separate manufacture of thevarious components and assembly of such components. Moreover, that priorart configuration is inherently more difficult to install and isinherently less durable because of having a plurality of separatecomponents. Thus, there is a continuing need for a unitary apparatuswhich is easier to manufacture and install and which is more durable andlower in cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aforementioned need is satisfied by the present invention whichprovides significant advantages over the aforementioned prior art. Morespecifically, the present invention comprises a bird repellent apparatushaving an integral base member and a plurality of prongs preferably madeof an injection molded plastic which can be cheaply manufactured inlarge numbers with virtually no significant labor costs. The basemember, by means of a plurality of tabs having holes for receivingscrews or other fasteners, can be affixed to virtually any desiredsurface. The plurality of prongs with sharp tips presents an impossiblebarrier to birds that would otherwise land or perch on the surface towhich the present invention is affixed. The use of a unitary, integralinjection molded plastic structure, not only reduces the manufacturecost and thus the cost to the user, but also provides the opportunity tomanufacture the product in a variety of different colors, some of whichmay be selected to blend in with the color of the underlying surface andsome of which may be purposely selected to provide an aestheticallypleasing and distinctive appearance. In either case, it can be seen thatthe present invention provides an efficient and effective apparatus forrepelling birds from surfaces such as window sills, roof tops, boatmasts and boat cover and the like, while overcoming the previouslydescribed disadvantages of the prior art.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to provide abird repellent apparatus for installation on selected surfaces forpreventing birds from landing or perching thereon and which overcomesthe disadvantages of the prior art.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a birdrepellent apparatus made entirely of low cost plastic.

It is still an additional object of the present invention to provide abird repellent apparatus of the type having a plurality of sharp-tippedprongs to prevent birds from landing or perching upon selected surfaces,the apparatus having an integral base member.

It is still an additional object of the present invention to provide abird repellent apparatus comprising an injection molded or extrudedplastic base member and a plurality of sharp-tipped prongs, the basemember and prongs all being integrally formed to provide a unitarystructure.

It is yet an additional object of the invention to provide a unitaryplastic bird repellent apparatus having installation enhancementfeatures including break point grooves for easy cutting, a glue troughfor adhering the apparatus to hard surfaces and molded screw holes forattachment to wood surfaces and the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The aforementioned objects and advantages of the present invention, aswell as additional objects and advantages thereof will be more fullyunderstood hereinafter as a result of a detailed description of apreferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the followingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional illustration of the present inventionshown ready for installation on an exterior window sill adjacent awindow frame or other suitable surface;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the invention taken along lines 4-4of FIG. 2; and

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 are cross-sectional views of various elements of theinvention taken along lines 5-5, 6-6 and 7-7 of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, it will be seen that the bird repellentapparatus 10 of the present invention comprises a base member 12 and aplurality of prongs 14. Each such prong terminates in a sharp tip 16.The base member 12 provides a rail 15 from which extends integrallytherefrom the prongs 14 along the full length of base member 12. Aplurality of flanges 18 each has a hole 20 and extends in opposeddirections away from the rail 15. Each hole 20 is adapted to receive ascrew for connecting the base member 12 to an underlying surface such asa window sill. A notch 19 provides a convenient cutting line at variouslocations along the base member 12 to permit length selection at theinstallation site.

The prongs 14 are provided at various angles relative to the underlyingsurface. As shown best in FIG. 3, prongs 22 are oriented at 90 degreesrelative to the underlying surface, prongs 26 and 30 are oriented atabout 30 degrees above the underlying surface and prongs 24 and 28 areoriented at about 70 degrees above the underlying surface. Moreover,prongs 26 and 30 are on opposed sides of the rail 15 as are prongs 24and 28. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, this orientation of the prongs formsa repetitive pattern along the length of base member 12. As shown bestin FIG. 3, a glue trough 17 permits neat glue application forinstallation on hard surfaces such as concrete brick and steel.

As shown in FIGS. 4-7, the cross-section of the prongs where theyconnect to rail 15 is “T”-shaped as shown in FIG. 5. The cross-sectionof the prongs along their major length is cross-shaped as shown in FIG.6 and the cross-section of the prongs close to their pointed ends 16 iscircular as shown in FIG. 7.

A key feature of the present invention is the unitary structure of theentire bird repellent apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. This featurepermits the disclosed embodiment to be fabricated as a singleinjection-molded plastic member obviating any further assembly beforeinstallation on an underlying surface. This unique unitary designreduces fabrication costs and simplifies installation as well.

1. A bird deterrent, comprising: a base that is integral with aplurality of plastic prongs; wherein the base has a varying width alonga length of the base, and a first and second hole each of which isconfigured to allow receipt of a mechanical fastener; and wherein acenter point of the first hole is at a first length of the base having afirst width, and a center point of the second hole is at a second lengthof the base having a second width; and wherein the first width is equalto the second width.
 2. The bird deterrent of claim 1, wherein the basehas third and fourth holes configured to allow receipt of third andfourth mechanical fasteners, respectively, and the third and fourthholes are each on portions of the length having the same width as thefirst and second holes.
 3. The bird deterrent of claim 1, wherein thebase has a glue trough.
 4. The bird deterrent of claim 1, wherein thebase has a top, and at least some of the plurality of prongs extendnormally from the top of the base.
 5. The bird deterrent of claim 1,wherein at least some of the plurality of prongs extend on each side ofthe base in alternating high/low positions.
 6. The bird deterrent ofclaim 5, wherein the base has a top, and at least some of the pluralityof prongs extend normally from the top of the base.
 7. The birddeterrent of claim 1, wherein the base has a plurality of break points,configured as weakened areas oriented across the median.
 8. The birddeterrent of claim 1, wherein the plurality of prongs extend in at leastthree different orientations relative to the base.
 9. The bird deterrentof claim 1, wherein the plurality of prongs extend in five differentorientations relative to the base.
 10. The bird deterrent of claim 1,wherein at least one of the plurality of prongs extends from a flangethat is integral with the base.
 11. The bird deterrent of claim 1,wherein at least one of the plurality of prongs has a portion with around cross-sectional area.
 12. The bird deterrent of claim 1, whereinat least one of the plurality of prongs has a portion with across-shaped cross-sectional area.
 13. The bird deterrent of claim 1,wherein at least one of the plurality of prongs has a first portion witha round cross-sectional area, and a second portion with a cross-shapedcross-sectional area.
 14. The bird deterrent of claim 1, wherein thebase has a flat bottom surface.
 15. The bird deterrent of claim 1,further comprising a ridge running along a surface of the base.
 16. Thebird deterrent of claim 1, further comprising the base having aplurality of spaced cutting notches.
 17. The bird deterrent of claim 1,wherein the base is integral with the plurality of prongs.